University of applied sciences expansion and redesign of city park successfully concluded

The expansion of the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol that was started two years ago and also the new design of the adjacent city park took place smoothly, “Both the schedule and the planned budget of 11.6 million euros were adhered to, and the work was able to be successfully completed recently,” said Dr. Herbert Marschitz happily. He is the chairman of the board of the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol Private Foundation.

A gain for students and residents!

Students of the university of applied sciences and students of International School Kufstein Tirol (ISK) are not the only ones who benefit from the effective planning of the new addition. Thanks to the large gymnastics hall and the new Kufstein library center, known as kubi, residents and associations are also enjoying added value. “The state music school can now make excellent use of the former city library premises on Krankenhausgasse street. The public restrooms that residents have been requesting for a long time were also able to be installed with this project,” explained Mayor Mag. Martin Krumschnabel.

The State of Tyrol, the Municipality of Kufstein, and the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol provided equal funding for the new addition. The Municipality of Kufstein bore the costs for the gymnastics hall and the public restrooms.

At the Tirol government retreat this spring, Governor Günther Platter was able to make his own assessment of how the innovative new addition was built. The governor seemed impressed with the results and said, “The new addition combines life in Kufstein with educational institutions and is pushing education and everyday life ahead.”

The University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol is constantly increasing in popularity with students. “We currently have approximately 2,200 students and 500 teachers. By 2025 we are aiming at 2,500 students and 25 study programs,” said University of Applied Sciences Managing Director and Professor (FH) Dr. Thomas Madritsch as well as rector and  Prof. (FH) Dr. Mario Döller as they venture to make a forecast that was only made possible because of the expansion.

The management team of International School Kufstein Tirol (ISK), Director Professor and Senior Teacher Mag. Claudia Atzl and Mag. (FH) Walter Weiskopf also have a positive outlook on the future. Currently, around 120 students are taught in six classes.

City park flourishes!

Although beforehand there were controversial discussions among residents about the future of the city park, now many residents are very pleased about the successful result. The glass sculpture “Community” by Kufstein artist and resident Birgit Dopsch receives park visitors at the entrance area to the Franz Josef Square. A (city) gate stands symbolically in the middle and is surrounded by three stained-glass elements that are supposed to symbolize the diversity, variety, and interactiveness of a community.

Directly after the newly designed event area with movable benches and flower boxes, the garden lounge in the center with its many seats invites you to stay and relax. A new water playground was created right beside the existing playground and gives children more space and variety. The employees from the municipal yard were not the only ones who did a good job: the ladies and gentlemen from the parks department also did a good job and are supporting natural biodiversity by a sustainable planting in the middle of the fortified city of Kufstein.